I have taken my time reading Gabe Lyons book entitled The Next Christian because I wanted to absorb the information and really process what he shared. I don’t think I can do justice for this resource. All I can say is GET YOUR STICKY FINGERS ON A COPY AND READ IT! Lyons puts all the churchy traditions on the table and identifies them for what they are- tradition. He asks that true followers of Christ start acting like followers of Christ and fix broken places when they see them. He shares story and after story about people who are actually using their positions in the job market, money, ideas, passions and other areas of influence to bless the people around them. He meets with world- changers that I haven’t heard about from any pulpit.
Lyons reminds me- the girl who grew up in church- that the lingo, the practices, and the sunday school attendance record are all creations of other people and are not working to bring new believers to saving knowledge of Christ. The simple and life changing concept that people need to feel like they belong somewhere 100% before they will believe anything that’s said is so true. Belonging- Believing- Becoming. We don’t have to copy what the world is doing in order to be relevant to our community. Lyons specifically points out youth group rooms that look like the basement of the guy down the street- with all the video games, tv screens, and screaming loud music. These things are entertainment and our kids are bored with that- they can get that anywhere. What they can’t get anywhere is the truths found in the Bible, the life-shifting hope, the stories of real people who are actually “living” life together.
The part of his book that has impacted me the most was his description of the three major groups of Christians separated based on how they interact with the current culture; the Separatists (the insiders, culture warriors, and evangelizers), the Culturalists (blenders and philanthropists) and the Restorers (which use the positive strengths of the two former groups, but without the negatives brought about from them).
This is somewhat of a second book in a series, with the first being UnChristian by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons. This book gets "keeper" status because it deserves room on my shelf. I need to re-read it and remember to encourage others to read it.
Check out more at www.nextchristians.com
Moltnomah sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
2 comments:
I think I will give this book a read as I have also read UnChristian and know the old way of doing things has been lost on my two 20 year old sons. I trust they will return but am glad people are beginning to rethink the church's strategies.
Thanks for your thoughts Shanda!
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